Valley of Lagoons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Valley Of LagoonsQueensland |
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 Valley Of Lagoons
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 48 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 0.01067/km2 (0.0276/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4850 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 4,500.2 km2 (1,737.5 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Charters Towers Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Traeger | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Kennedy | ||||||||||||||
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Valley Of Lagoons is a small, quiet area in the countryside of Queensland, Australia. It's part of the Charters Towers Region. In 2016, only 48 people lived here, making it a very peaceful place!
Contents
Geography and Rivers
Valley Of Lagoons is a place with important rivers. The Burdekin River, a big river in Queensland, starts its journey from the north-eastern slopes of Boulder Mountain here. As it flows, parts of the river form the eastern and southern edges of the area. Another stream, Douglas Creek, which flows into the Burdekin River, also begins in this region.
A Rich History
The land around Valley Of Lagoons has a long and interesting history.
First Nations People
The traditional owners of this land are the Gugu Badhun people. Their language, also known as Koko-Badun, is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken in parts of North Queensland. This includes areas within the Charters Towers Region, like Greenvale and Valley Of Lagoons, and near the Burdekin River.
Early European Explorers
The first Europeans to explore this beautiful area were Ludwig Leichhardt and his team. They arrived on May 4, 1845, during their long journey from Moreton Bay to Port Essington (which is now Darwin). Leichhardt was amazed by what he saw. He wrote about discovering a huge valley with large lagoons and lakes. He described the plants as "luxuriant" and the distant mountains as "blue," creating a "most picturesque landscape." He felt it was a perfect place for grazing animals, with plenty of water, grass, hills, and forests. Leichhardt used the phrase "valley of lagoons" many times in his writings, which is likely how the area got its name.
Establishing the Station
Because of Leichhardt's positive reports, George Elphinstone Dalrymple explored the area in 1859. Dalrymple was part of a group that later started the Valley of Lagoons Station in 1862. This happened after the government made the land available for settlement. A partnership was formed between Walter Jervoise Scott, his brother Arthur, Dalrymple, and Robert Herbert, who was the Premier of Queensland at the time. This group helped pay for the lease of the land. Dalrymple then became the manager of the station.
Important Wetlands
Valley Of Lagoons is home to a very special area of wetlands, covering about 36.4 square kilometers (14 square miles). These wetlands are on a basaltic plateau, which is a flat area made of volcanic rock. This area has a natural flood plain with several large lakes that always have water. This makes it a permanent home for fish and waterbirds.
The wetlands are so important that they are listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia (DIWA). This means they are recognized for their value to nature. A major feature here is the 7,000-year-old Kinrara lava flow. Many springs flow from different spots in this lava, keeping the water flowing through the wetlands all the time. The wetlands are in good condition, providing a healthy environment for many creatures.
